A group of Sierra Madre parents called Organize Sierra Madre Schools are planning to speak up at tomorrow’s Pasadena Unified School District Facilities Sub-Committee Meeting and the subsequent Board of Education meeting in an effort to curb cuts from .
On May 1, the PUSD released news that they were facing a 20 percent funding shortfall, and that anticipated construction projects at many campuses, including Sierra Madre School, would be affected.
According to a letter from Sierra Madre School’s PTA president Alisa Fishbach, the following projects are in danger:
At the elementary school:
- Installation of air conditioning and other modernization of the auditorium, cafeteria and teacher’s lounge
- New lights and equipment for the auditorium stage
- Kitchen remodeling that would allow for on-site preparation of food
- Construction of a field house with bathroom facilities
At the middle school:
- Construction of a two-story building to house middle school students
- $600,000 of construction materials used to update classrooms
- Improvements to the playing field, including bathroom facilities
The construction projects were supposed to be funded by Measure TT, a $350 million bond program approved by voters in 2008. According to PUSD officials, the bond program is in jeopardy due to the economic downturn and lack of state funding.
Fishbach says that mismanagement of bonds that were supposed to be sold after Measure TT passed is also to blame.
“We have made good progress on the delivery of projects funded by Measure TT, but the anticipated revenue from local, state and matching funds did not come through as expected,” said PUSD Chief Facilities Officer David Azcárraga in a statement. “Our work is not over and it is critical that we inform school communities of the challenges ahead in delivering projects, correcting our course as necessary and determining steps to close the funding shortfall.”
Residents interested in joining or supporting Organize Sierra Madre Schools are encouraged to attend these Tuesday PUSD meetings:
PUSD Facilities and Capital Projects Sub-Committee Meeting at 3:00 p.m.
Lower Level Conference Room
351 South Hudson Avenue
Pasadena, California 91109
According to the agenda, Public Comment will likely begin shortly after 3:00 p.m.
PUSD Board of Education Meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room
351 South Hudson Avenue
Pasadena, California 91109
According to the agenda, Public comment will likely begin at 6:00 p.m.
